Inconsiderate Drivers Are In Abundance!
by PD McCloud
Is it just me, or are others noticing the lack of consideration other truckers are having for their fellow drivers?
Two recent incidents of having a total disregard for another driver comes to mind.
Any of you who have been to the Flying J in Russellville, AR know that when you finish fueling you either go forward and hang a left to go out the back entryway, or you make a sharp left turn then another sharp left to leave through the front entrance way. I happened to be in furthermost fuel lane from the building and was attempting to make that sharp left to exit. Lo and behold, two other drivers to the right of me were attempting to do the same thing. However, instead of stopping when they seen me, clearly in front of them, trying so the same thing they literally pressed on the accelerator to make sure they were first to get out. Two times I had to do a hard break because of these two inconsiderate drivers.
Now, I'm not one who is in such a big hurry to get anywhere to try to "one-up" a fellow driver, but it was rather obvious that these two drivers were not of the same mind.
The second incident is an increasingly dangerous problem. Driver's are running through the truck stop parking lots like it's an Indy track. Speeding through without regard to other drivers walking to or from the truck stop. Some will actually stop to let a driver walk across their path of travel, others I've noticed recently will actually speed up, afraid someone else will get to that parking space they eyeballed from the roadway.
In almost every instance I've noticed that the "offending" drivers appeared to be much younger than I (62), most at least half my age. What is it? Are these inconsiderate drivers from an era where being taught consideration was not existent, or are they just that ignorant of others around them that they don't realize they are being inconsiderate or just plain stupid? In a few situations, I would get on the CB and suggest the driver slow down, or show some other form of consideration. After which, I would be told to mind my own business, or worry about driving my own truck.
When I went to truck driving school, I was taught by drivers who were not just instructor's, but also former truck drivers. They instilled in me a sense of consideration, a sense of courtesy towards my fellow driver. I'm appreciative toward them for this, but now I wonder why this is not a part of the standard truck driving program. Or, could it be that these drivers are taught this but have ignored that which they were taught once they get into a truck by themselves.
A lot of us drivers who've been around for a while, or longer, owe it to our profession to help guide these younger, brash drivers learn about ethical driving. If we don't start now, then we'll soon be a dying breed leaving the industry to inconsiderate drivers that are unsafe and a danger to all of us.
Read the full article
by PD McCloud
Is it just me, or are others noticing the lack of consideration other truckers are having for their fellow drivers?
Two recent incidents of having a total disregard for another driver comes to mind.
Any of you who have been to the Flying J in Russellville, AR know that when you finish fueling you either go forward and hang a left to go out the back entryway, or you make a sharp left turn then another sharp left to leave through the front entrance way. I happened to be in furthermost fuel lane from the building and was attempting to make that sharp left to exit. Lo and behold, two other drivers to the right of me were attempting to do the same thing. However, instead of stopping when they seen me, clearly in front of them, trying so the same thing they literally pressed on the accelerator to make sure they were first to get out. Two times I had to do a hard break because of these two inconsiderate drivers.
Now, I'm not one who is in such a big hurry to get anywhere to try to "one-up" a fellow driver, but it was rather obvious that these two drivers were not of the same mind.
The second incident is an increasingly dangerous problem. Driver's are running through the truck stop parking lots like it's an Indy track. Speeding through without regard to other drivers walking to or from the truck stop. Some will actually stop to let a driver walk across their path of travel, others I've noticed recently will actually speed up, afraid someone else will get to that parking space they eyeballed from the roadway.
In almost every instance I've noticed that the "offending" drivers appeared to be much younger than I (62), most at least half my age. What is it? Are these inconsiderate drivers from an era where being taught consideration was not existent, or are they just that ignorant of others around them that they don't realize they are being inconsiderate or just plain stupid? In a few situations, I would get on the CB and suggest the driver slow down, or show some other form of consideration. After which, I would be told to mind my own business, or worry about driving my own truck.
When I went to truck driving school, I was taught by drivers who were not just instructor's, but also former truck drivers. They instilled in me a sense of consideration, a sense of courtesy towards my fellow driver. I'm appreciative toward them for this, but now I wonder why this is not a part of the standard truck driving program. Or, could it be that these drivers are taught this but have ignored that which they were taught once they get into a truck by themselves.
A lot of us drivers who've been around for a while, or longer, owe it to our profession to help guide these younger, brash drivers learn about ethical driving. If we don't start now, then we'll soon be a dying breed leaving the industry to inconsiderate drivers that are unsafe and a danger to all of us.
Read the full article
